TO ALL U.N. PARTICIPANTS OF THE EMPIRE BLUE CROSS PLAN

Empire Blue Cross has issued new ID cards to all UN plan members for use beginning 1 July 2012 and you should be receiving them shortly.

This new card represents Phase II of the issuance of ID cards which began in January of this year. New ID cards needed to be issued because the United States Government has started issuing Social Security numbers that begin with the number “8”. Up to now, your Empire Blue Cross identification number used the number “8” followed by your UN index number and “91”. Upon receipt of this new card, please discard your old one.
We encourage all members to let Empireblue.com be your personal website for interactive tools that are built around you, your health and your benefits. Empireblue.com is totally secure – only you can see your personal information.

Because Empireblue.com is all about you, your plan and benefit information are easy to find. It is right at your finger tips. You can find a doctor, check your claims or order a new ID card. These are just a few of the tools that the website has to offer.

For those of you who have not yet registered, this is a perfect time to do so and begin benefiting from this useful tool.

For those of you already registered, please note that you will need to re-register starting 1 July 2012 using your new ID number that begins with “YLDU” instead of the old “YLD8”.

VERY IMPORTANT
If you have to visit a doctor beginning 1 July 2012 before you receive your new Empire ID Card, you can print a temporary ID card by doing the following:
· Register or re-register at
· Click on the “Member” link. On the Members page, click on “Register”.
· You will be asked for your first and last name (in this order), your Empire Member ID Number and your date of birth.
When asked for your ID number, use the naming convention below to key in your new Empire Blue Cross ID number which goes into effect on 1 July 2012.
YLD + U + six digit index number + 00 or “YLDU12345600” for active staff
YLD + U + six digit index number + 91 or “YLDU12345691” for retirees
· Enter Group Plan number 374610-G.
· Create a new username and password.
Once you are signed in, you can print a temporary card for you and your family by clicking on “My Profile”. You will see a link for printing a temporary ID card.
Since your new ID card is on its way, you do not need to click on “Request ID card” unless you have not received it within two weeks.

Please remember that you can only register online with your new ID number beginning 1 July 2012.